Galil + Gecko + Camsoft - HELP !

[jghielme]

I just finished building a cnc machine and I am in the process of setting up the electronics and I am stuck.

Computer is up, Galil board in, communications seems to be good between board, stepper drivers, and Camsoft.

However, when I go to run a test job, the steppers make a little noise and do not move (yes they are disconnected from the rest of the machine = no load)

Here is the setup:
Galil 18x2 controller with ICM-2900
Old Camsoft 5.7 software
Generic 4 wire stepper motors
Gecko 201 and 202 stepper drivers
48 volt power supply to the stepper drivers
No additional power provided to ICM-2900

Here is the Wiring:

+/- to steppers from 48 V power supply
Coil A terminal on Gecko wired to stepper motor (one of the pairs with continuity)
Coil B terminal on gecko wired to stepper motor (other pair with continuity)

X Axis:
Gecko 201 terminal "Step" wired to PWMX on ICM-2900
Gecko 201 terminal "Direction" wired to SIGNX on ICM-2900
Gecko 201 terminal "Common" wired to MOCMDX ON ICM-2900

Y Axis:
Gecko 202 terminal "Step" wired to PWMY on ICM-2900
Gecko 202 terminal "Direction" wired to SIGNY on ICM-2900
Gecko 202 terminal "Common" wired to MOCMDY ON ICM-2900

HOMEX wired to push button switch - works
HOMEY wired to push button switch - works

Camsoft Setup:
Tried stepper motor settings at 2 and -2
Confirmed that it was set to Galil and not to Demo
All other setting were default Galil sample setup


Nothing else has bee wired yet.

So,

1. Is the wiring correct?

2. Something is happening since the motors make predictable noise when I run a test job. However, they do not turn. The motors are activated when I power up. I cannot turn the spindles.

Any ideas on where to look for my next debugging step?

Any help or ideas would be appreciated.


thx,

jeff

[Al_The_Man]

Just as a general comment, I am surprised that you are going with higher end Galil and Camsoft and then end up using steppers? When you have the ability for a few extra $ to go with servo's?
This would give you a true PID closed loop system?
Al.

[Karl_T]

Ditto what Al said. if you want a stepper system, sell the galil and Camsoft and go Mach.

I hooked up steppers on Camsoft a LONG time ago. Don't remember much. i do see you got common on the servo signal, that's wrong.

Camsoft has a feature in diagnostics, "Why am I not Moving". Click on it and see what you learn.

From there, I'd try native galil commands in galil terminal

Karl

edit. P.S. limit switches holding you out is a real common thing

[jghielme]

K. Will play with the wiring to the controller.

BTW: the Camsoft diagnostics says everything is working fine.

Lets explore the idea of dumping the steppers and going with servo motors. Got any suggestions on what to buy?

[Karl_T]

I use brush type servo motors on all my machines. Industry is going to the more expensive brushless servos, making these cheap especially if you don't mind used units. I also use only AMC servo amp ,again very cheap on eBay, etc. I've used USdigital.com for the encoders, other good sources here.

You didn't mention the size of your machine. A 1/4 hp. servo geared down 2:1 will do machines up to the size of a small bridgeport.

Karl

[jghielme]

The machine is a home made 24" x 48" router table. I know that using the Galil + Camsoft + steppers is overkill and a bit odd but I recovered them when we scrapped our tape library. I actually built the machine around the existing electronics. Talk about backwards engineering.

Seems like 1/4 hp servo geared at 2:1 will do just fine. Time to go shopping.

thx !

j

[Farmers Machine]

Bought a used Esab cutting torch with brush type DC motors. the special smoke leaked out of the drive board, so I purchased the RUBY drive from Servo Dynamics in Califorinia. Very easy to install and program. If you wind up changing encoders get some with high resolution so you have more pulses per inch. this will help your accuracy and make it easier if you have a goofy ball screw pitch and gearing so you dont have to use a decimal in your servo set up to move exactly one inch or one MM.
Good luck
The Farmer

[jghielme]

I sent a message to the Galil support folks and was referred to an Applications Engineer - Stephen.

It took him a whopping 11 minutes to figure out that I had it mis-wired. Wow !

Here is the correct wiring setup:


X Axis:
ICM 2900 / Gecko 201
PWMX/STEP
SIGX/DIR
AMPENX/RESET
+ 5V/COMMON

Y Axis:
ICM 2900 /Gecko 202
PWMX/STEP
SIGX/DIR
AMPENX/DISABLE
+ 5V/COMMON

Attached is a word doc with all the details. Galil + Stepper + Camsoft.doc

Time to play with my new toy.......

[Karl_T]

Steven O at Galil has helped me out also, great guys there.

I know Mach has a plugin for a Galil card with steppers. I'd suggest you take a look at it. Don't get me wrong, Camsoft is a GREAT control. But it is aimed at professional installations and has a steep learning curve for first timers. In short you're using a nuclear weapon to swat a fly.

Karl


Karl

[jghielme]

Thx Karl.

Agreed.

I tried working through the Camsoft books this morning and realized that it is going to take a really long time to get rolling. I have managed to test all the switches and relays using Camsoft.

I did some searching and found that the Mach seems to be the favorite around here. I will give it a try tonight.